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NUCOR sponsoring fundraiser for US Army Capt. Ben Harrow

Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Published 10:05 a.m. ET April 24, 2014

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Colton James (right) and Matt Watson of the local country act Steel Creek perform an acoustic set at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar on Monday, Apr. 14, 2014. Nucor Steel Marion will be sponsoring a Charity Benefit Concert on May 17th to support Operation Steel Warrior at Veterans Coliseum. The concert will be headlined by James, a Nashville's recording artist. Fogery Run will also be performing, as well as Steel Creek. Operation Steel Warrior is a multi-division Nucor effort to raise money that will support the construction of “Smart Homes” for severely wounded service members. James Miller/The Marion Star(Photo: James Miller/The Marion Star, James Miller/The Marion Star)Buy Photo

MARION – To help a wounded veteran, NUCOR Steel of Marion is having a fundraising concert.

Proceeds from the May 17 show will benefit Operation Steel Warrior, a national NUCOR project to benefit a wounded veteran.

Money from Operation Steel Warrior will benefit U.S. Army Capt. Ben Harrow, who lost both of his legs above the knee and much of his right arm in Afghanistan in 2012. Through Building America’s Bravest, Harrow will have a new “smart home” built specifically with his disability in mind.

Randy Rose, roll mill day supervisor at NUCOR Marion, said the company is eager to give back and to crowd the Coliseum for the event.

“We need to pack that place,” he said, adding that he wants to raise about $100,000 for Harrow. “I want to rock it.”

“Let’s start something great here in Marion, Ohio.”

Rose said this is the first concert event for Operation Steel Warrior. Country singer Colton James, a friend of Rose’s, is the main act. Local bands Fogery Run and Steel Creek will open for him.

“NUCOR is a great American company,” James said, adding that he felt like part of a family when he visited NUCOR Marion.

“We’re hoping to make this into a
national initiative and partner with companies all over this country to make a difference.”

He said he has friends and family members in the military and has been doing philanthropy work with several other organizations, including Susan G. Komen, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Tennessee Voices for Children. He also has worked with military veterans.

“We’ve been working with a lot of wounded warriors. ... You spend time with these guys and their families, and they become part of your family.”

The video for James’ newest single, “101 Proof,” features NASCAR racer Kerry Earnhardt and professional wrestler Shawn Michaels. He also has a song called “Brave Men” that he wrote about the men and women in the military and performed it off the cuff for a veteran in Marion sitting at Perkins the other day.